| September 20, 2006 | Wednesday | Sha'aban 26, 1427 |
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Learn to accept criticism
Unholy nexus
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The power of forgetting
Man killed for ignoring signal
Water billing
Covering other anniversaries
In memoriam
Well met?
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
IN this turbulent era of our times, Mr Anwar Syed’s discourse ‘Springs of extremism’ (Sept 11) enlightening about the genesis of extremism, sponsored at the behest of Church and the calamities it caused to the mediaeval Europe is a well-timed and an excellent piece of writing. I support him that extremism as an accepted norm has never remained a feature of Islamic world.
Not only dissent was allowed to blossom in Muslim societies but even votaries of other religions were accepted as equal citizens. Throughout Muslim rule, the minorities were never persecuted as a matter of state policy.
As far as the Christian world is concerned, ‘extremism’, a social malevolence, began mainly when Constantine-I (280-337), who in order to gain favour of ever-increasing Christian community for his imperial designs, adopted Christianity.
Dan Brown in his international bestseller The Da Vinci Code has stated that “Constantine was a good businessman, he could see the Christianity was on the rise and simply backed the winning horse. He, therefore, converted the sun-worshipping pagans by fusing their symbols, dates and rituals in growing Christian tradition; he created a kind of hybrid religion that was acceptable to both parties.”
Theologian polemics existed between followers of Arius, a Presbyter, and Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria: the former believed that Christ is not truly divine but a created being as God is unique, self-existent and immutable. The latter affirmed divinity and equality of son in the Trinity. Emperor Constantine, in order to create a bridge between his erstwhile creed of paganism and Christianity, entered into theologian dispute and called Council of Nicaea (325), the first general council of the Church. The Council adopted the Athanasius’s Nicene Creed, i.e., belief in trinity, which became Orthodox Church doctrine. The Arianists who believed that Jesus Christ was a supernatural being not quite human, not quite divine, who was created by God, were condemned in perpetuity.
With this historical pronouncement, religious persecution of the Arians started throughout the Roman dominions. The worst consequences of the edict of Nicaea were, however, abandonment of Greek intellectual traditions as they were followers of Arianism, thereby closing the doors of Greek knowledge for the western world.
Charles Freeman in his magnum opus The Closing of the Western Mind— The rise of faith and the fall of reason has admitted: “When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the fourth century AD, he initiated a change that would thrust the western world into a dark age”. These dark clouds, thereafter, hovered over the western societies till Protestant Reformists defied the edict of established Church (1483-1546).
Islam, however, did maintain its pristine purity in the shape of the Holy Quran and Hadiths. The teachings of the Holy Prophet who, was though formally not literate himself, created in the Muslims craving for knowledge and intellectual inquiry. They were taught that all human beings are progeny of one pair, i.e., Adam and Eve, and the tribes are created only for the sake of identification. Therefore, before Allah only those are accredited who fear Him, and obey Him.
It is on account of the teaching of Islam that a revolution set in motion from the deserts of Arabia and engulfed the vast empires of Rome and Persia within a short span of time. When Europe was persecuting dissidents, scholars n the universities of Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus and Cordova were having intellectual deliberations on various branches of disciplines.
MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi
THE recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI have been blown out of proportions by the media. It is common knowledge that the media feeds on public sentiments and that is exactly what they are doing now. In his lecture, the Pope devoted almost 4,000 words to examining the relationship between faith and reason, and the prospect for dialogue between modernity and the world of religion. He then remarked that violence and religion are not compatible with God’s nature given the fact that both Christianity and Islam had violent periods in their history.
I don’t understand the reason for the unnecessary violence and protests taking place in the Muslim world? Why are Christian churches attacked whenever the Muslim world is offended by something that someone in the West says or does? This does not help to promote the peaceful image of Islam that Muslims are trying so hard to portray in the West.
Painful though it may be, speaking frankly is necessary if there is to be honest and open dialogue between the three Abrahamic faiths. I don’t deny that there have been violent periods in the history of Christianity where injustices have been committed, but do we retaliate on such a large scale when reference is made to them or when our religion is ridiculed?
In the past Christianity too was ridiculed and insulted on many occasions by Muslims. The late Ahmed Deedat, a Muslim scholar, mocked the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, on Good Friday in Australia. The Australian government threatened to deport him unless he toned down the content of his lecture (Daily News, Durban, May 6, 1996). Even Singapore banned his entry due to the inflammatory nature of his remarks. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are so sacred to the core of Christian beliefs and yet he dared to do so in a predominantly Christian country. Were our feelings also not hurt by this?
The publication of Deedat’s book Combat Kit” in 1992 was another vicious and ridiculing attack where he tried to degrade and discredit the Bible. Did Christians retaliate with violent protests and burning of mosques and effigies all over the world? In the end all I can say is that we must all learn to accept criticism and be open to dialogue, rather than resort to violence and hatred. Then only will there be religious harmony and respect between the adherents of the three Abrahamic faiths.
TYRONE MASCARENHAS
Karachi
THIS refers to Nasir Hussain’s letter (Sept 16). It is commendable that the Pharma Bureau and its members are ‘signatory to the IFPMA Code of Ethics and follow it strictly’. However, we know the reality is far from truth. In Pakistan rules and codes exist for everything, but none are worth the paper they are written on, as none are applied.
How many companies have been reprimanded by the Pharma Bureau for behaving unethically over the last 10 years? Did they reprimand the multinational that flew 70 Pakistani doctors to Bangkok for the launch of an anti-dementia drug, spending well over Rs7 million? Or those that fly in foreign speakers under the guise of ‘academic activities’ for seminars in five-star hotels, spending millions which are then recouped by increased drug sales? Pharmas would not spend the millions on physicians if they were not going to get hundred times the return on their ‘investment’. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
As the competition between companies increase, so do the inducements as companies try to get as big a share of the $1.5 billion Pakistani pharmaceutical market. No interaction between pharmaceutical companies and physicians — even the so-called ‘academic activities’— can ever be justified. The sole objective of all these activities is to establish a relationship with physicians and to use them to prescribe the company’s products. Even small gifts have a cumulative effect and research has shown the more interaction a physician has with a company and the more gifts he receives, the more he is likely to prescribe the company’s product.
Chandra Gulhati, the editor of MIMS, India, wrote: “The commercial needs of countless fiercely competing pharmaceutical companies has led them to depend on the tried and tested 3Cs: Convince if possible, Confuse if necessary, Corrupt if nothing else works.”
MURAD M. KHAN
Professor of Psychiatry, Karachi
THROUGH Dawn, which was founded by Mohammad Ali Jinnah and published by Syed Shamsul Hasan, my family and I want to thank President Musharraf from the core of our hearts for recognising my late grandfather’s personal involvement in protecting a significant chapter of Pakistani history and awarding him the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
My late grandfather Syed Shamsul Hasan was assistant secretary of the All-India Muslim League from 1914 to 1948. He was in fact the most trusted vanguard of the Quaid and Liaquat Ali Khan, who not only patted their backs but also equipped them with tools that were needed to continue the struggle for an independent state. He was the only one who was entrusted by the Quaid to transfer the AIML records safely from Delhi to Pakistan. Syed Shamsul Hasan accomplished this task without any concern for putting his or his entire family’s life in danger.
Unfortunately the real history of Pakistan remained dumped on the open rooftop of the Muslim League House until Dr Zawar Zaidi took charge, and transferred these records to Karachi University. My grandfather was known for his fearless outlook and bluntness, which is a rarity in Pakistani government officials today.
Even Prime Minister Aziz did not have the courage to identify the persons and the parties that were against the creation of Pakistan but are now ruling Pakistan like it is their personal property.
I again thank President Musharraf for this acknowledgment, a deed that was not done even when Syed Sahib’s youngest son, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, former high commissioner of Pakistan in the UK, was an integral part of two PPP governments.
ERUM MAJID HASAN
Alabama, USA
IN her interesting article, ‘The power of forgetting’, inspired by the Confucian concept of enlightenment achieved through stilling the mind by silent contemplation, Karen Armstrong has presented an alternative paradigm to the US response to 9/11, which merits serious consideration (Aug 21).
It draws on Confucian and Daoist (Taoist) philosophies to state that the Americans should not have hurried with an emotional and aggressive retaliation. Instead, they ought to have critically diagnosed the crisis first, empty of received opinion, prejudice and self-interest.
Three other points have been mentioned. First, that a Rabbi thought the ideal reaction would have been for the US president to declare a traditional (Judaic) 40-day period of mourning and to do nothing until the horrifying new reality had been fully accepted and understood.
Second, that the mystical Daoist principle of wu wei (which she has translated as “doing nothing”) should have been followed, with the US adopting a more contemplative and passive approach initially, instead of the tendency to be active and productive. She has further noted that “in our restlessly talkative culture, we find silence difficult” and “listening is rare in our chattering society.”
Third, to break the cycle of escalating violence, of strike and counter-strike, we must listen to what everybody, even our enemy, is saying and be sincerely ready to let it change us and to hear the subtext of rage, grief, fear, pain, hatred and despair.
Considering these sequentially, what the Rabbi as a man of God said was indeed correct — the Muslims also observe a 40-day period of mourning for the dead or as a period of prayer and remembrance/meditation when faced with a physical or spiritual problem. Unfortunately, the militant and worldly-wise Zionists only espouse vengefulness.
A more literal translation of the Daoist principle of wu wei would be ‘not doing’. It is extended further into a related precept, wei wu wei, meaning, “do by not doing.” As a common example, nearly every one of us would have faced a situation of somebody behaving in an insulting and/or aggressive manner, either due to misunderstanding or malice.
We could either react in a similar manner, which would most probably worsen the situation, or be patient and do nothing, until the other person realises it was due to misunderstanding or gets tired and gives up such behaviour. This approach is better sometimes but on other occasions, a positive action is required. The Pakistanis’ patience in response to India’s troop deployment and other provocations of 2002 was, after our low-profile mobilisation, effectively wei wu wei, while the riposte to the latter’s nuclear tests of 1998 was an example of the second type.
The writer’s reference to the drawbacks of their talkative culture reminds one of an old joke. A police officer once stopped a female motorist in the US who was chattering away with a companion and said: “Lady, please do not drive at 230 words per minute” (or something to the effect).
One believes it is the lack of inner peace that makes people talk excessively, use intoxicants, become sexually promiscuous, listen to loud music and to ‘party’, as many Americans tend to do, that can never provide lasting peace and which is infecting the youth elsewhere. This is because of a materialistic culture and diminishing spirituality.
Ms Armstrong’s overall analysis is only partially accurate. The Bush administration’s response wasn’t an impatient and angry impulse to do something; there is much evidence that the neo-cons in Washington already had plans to attack some Muslim countries and were only looking for an excuse. The same applies to Israel’s recent destruction of Lebanon.
The bottom line is that the misguided evangelists like Mr Bush and Mr Blair, who consider the setting up of Greater Israel necessary for the second coming of Jesus Christ, have been exploited by the Zionists to fulfil their own agenda. An unbiased US president would probably have adopted the course outlined by Karen Armstrong.
KHALID CHAUDHRY
Karachi
ACCORDING to the news report ‘Police kill man for ignoring signal’ (Sept 18), the police killed yet another man in a fake encounter. Everyone in Karachi knows how dangerous it is to tussle with people in black uniform. Although low- ranking policemen are not allowed to do snap checking on their own, it has become a routine of policemen to stop people, especially motorists, with a view to making some money.
The way police gunned down Zafar Hamid is a matter of shame. Moreover, the way the police described the scene is so appalling that it could become the theme of a good Lollywood film. The higher authorities are requested to punish those involved in this shameful act and to ensure that no such event happens in future so that innocent lives can be saved.
KHALIL ZAFAR
Karachi
WE used to pay water and sewerage bill on a yearly basis till the last financial year ending June 2006. In my case the yearly bill amounting to Rs2,605 was paid on Aug 8, 2005.
Now the authorities have started billing on a monthly basis from July 2006 and in my case the bill was received for Rs226 —- this includes bank’s service charges of Rs20. This means 12x20=Rs240 per year one has to pay as service charges, which is not payable in case of other utility bills.
I also sent a letter to the billing director on Sept 4, but the reply is still awaited.
The August bill has been received, wherein five per cent has been added, amounting to Rs11, totalling August bill for Rs237, as July bill has not been paid by me.
I think there may be people like me who would like to pay the bill on a yearly basis. This option should remain with consumers.
From the copy of August bill one will observe the haphazard way the billing has been designed. The figures in the bill do not clearly represent the actual figures that the billing department desires the consumers to understand.
I hope you would raise the issue in one of your editorials.
SYED ZAFAR HASHMI
Karachi
ON Sept 11 and 12 your newspaper provided front page coverage to the anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centre.
No doubt it was a very sad incident wherein about 2,800 people died. But more tragic were the illegal attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq which were based totally on lies spoken by President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.
Why is your newspaper silent on this issue and why does it not provide coverage of the anniversaries of these horrible illegal attacks wherein two countries have been destroyed and at least one million people killed in the last five years.
In these countries people are still being killed, whereas the killing at the World Trade Centre stopped on the day of the attack.
Why don’t we also observe the anniversaries of the illegal attacks on Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon and provide full coverage to them by providing photographs of the destroyed places and mentioning the total number of people killed.
ABBAS ALI MOHAMMED
Karachi
MY friend Muna and I attend the London School of Economics and Political Science. Muna is from Palestine, and she was recently telling me how she was extremely homesick. When she spoke to her father, he comforted her and encouraged her to stay on while she suggested she drop out. She then showed me a text message sent to her by her father. Just reading it made my eyes fill up with tears.
I again find myself wishing that my father was alive. My father Ashiq Hussain Jatoi was assassinated on the night of Sept 20, 1996. It just hit me that that’s a whole decade ago, it’s scary because even though I had just turned 13 that September, I remember it all as if it had happened just yesterday. When I think about my father and all the amazing memories that I have with him, it upsets me that he is no longer here.
Moreover, his case has been in court for the past decade. Is it too much to ask my country, a country that I love so dearly, for some sort of justice for my father’s death?
MAHEEN JATOI
London
I WAS amazed to read the article ‘Hail ‘fellow’ well met!’ in The Review (Aug 31). The article seemed more like a paid documentary because it was full of heavy praises for Prof M. Sultan Farooqui, the president of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP), and the very few facilities that his administration has provided to the poor doctors of the CPSP.
In Prof Farooqui’s tenure of just five years the college fees have more than doubled and compulsory workshops and short courses have been introduced by him in order to extract more money from the students. The CPSP is probably the only postgraduate medical college that has introduced rules that are applied retroactively so that students can be disqualified at will and barred from taking examinations.
The research, training and monitoring department is unable to guide young doctors or even answer the simplest of their queries. The department is being run as a one-woman show by Dr Shahida Nagi who does not have time to deal with over 10,000 trainee doctors.
Even with a budget amounting to billions, Sultan Farooqui and his administration have failed to provide any relief to the candidates and instead disqualified their past trainings on unfair grounds. It is a pity that a man responsible for ruining the career of so many doctors is being ‘hailed’.
DR ALI KHAN
Lahore
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